Girl and a boy for Monaco royals

PRINCESS Charlene of Monaco has given birth to twins: a boy named Jacques and a girl called Gabriella.

The arrival was confirmed at 19.15 on Wednesday evening and the princess and her two children are said to be well.

They were born at Princess Grace hospital, named after the children's grandmother Grace Kelly, and 42 cannon shots rang out across the principality - 21 for each child.

Gabriella Thérèse Marie was delivered first at 17.04. Her twin brother, Jacques Honoré Rainier arrived two minutes later.

He will be the future Prince Jacques II of Monaco, in line with the country's succession law which gives priority to the male.

36-year-old Princess Charlene, a former South African Olympic swimmer, married Prince Albert II three years ago.

The babies are the first twins to be born into the Grimaldi household, which has ruled Monaco since the 13th century.